Jetblue Pet Policy: Everything You Need to Know Before Flying with Your Dog or Cat

JetBlue Airways is incredibly pet-friendly and always strives to fulfil their passengers’ needs to the best of their abilities. With the company’s JetPaws program, passengers can learn about traveling with their four-legged friend with JetBlue Airways. 

However, it is important to note that JetBlue does not ship pets as cargo, and only cats and dogs that meet its requirements are allowed to travel in the cabin. Pets are allowed on both domestic and international flights. 

The requirements will be different based on where you are traveling. Let’s see what is included in the JetBlue pet policy.

JetBlue In-Cabin Pet Travel

JetBlue’s pet policy states that only six pets are allowed on each flight, so you should book the ticket as early as possible. You can only take a small cat or dog with you on a JetBlue flight. The animal must be in an FAA-approved pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. 

The airline allows only one in-cabin pet per customer. You can book your pet online, on the JetBlue mobile application, or by contacting JetBlue. Add your pet in the Extras section during booking. 

Pets Traveling Domestically

According to its pet policy, JetBlue accepts pets on all domestic flights. However, remember that vaccination requirements vary from state to state, even when traveling within the United States. For example, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands require vaccination documentation for pets.

You are responsible for understanding the pet import requirements and acquiring all necessary documentation before traveling with a pet. 

Travel guidelines

At the airport

• The fee for your pet at JetBlue is $125 each way.
• Know that only one pet is allowed inside your pet carrier; along with your pet, they count as one personal item. 
• If you are traveling on Blue Basic, carry-on bags are not allowed, but you can bring one personal item in addition to the carrier. 
• Pets are not permitted in Mint. 
• JetBlue does not accept pets on interline/codeshare bookings. 
• Adding a pet to your booking can earn 300 extra points per flight segment if you are a TrueBlue member. 

• If you have already paid the pet fee and the pet is confirmed to travel, you can check in 24 hours before departing online on the JetBlue app or at an airport kiosk.
• Once you get to the airport, head to the full-service counter or speak with a JetBlue crewmember in the self-service lobby to get your JetPaws bag tag to attach to your pet’s carrier.
• While in the airport, your pet must remain inside its carrier zipped up or closed. 
• You should ensure that your pet uses the bathroom only at designated areas in the airport.

Pet carriers

• The carrier cannot exceed 17″ L x 12.5″ W x 8.5″ H (43.18 L x 31.75 W x 21.59 H in centimeters). 
• The combined weight of the pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds. 
• Your pet must be able to move around and stand up inside the carrier comfortably. 
• The carrier must have a leak-proof bottom and be well-ventilated. 
• JetBlue accepts both soft-sided and hard-sided pet carriers. 
• Carriers that allow for possible pet escape will not be accepted. 
• You can purchase a pet carrier at the airport ticket counter for $55. 

Pet strollers 

JetBlue considers pet strollers assistive devices that can be checked at the ticket counter for no additional charge. You can also gate-check your pet stroller if you want to keep it with you through the terminal. 

TSA security screening 

• You must show your pet to the TSA security officers at the security checkpoint. 
• Your pet carrier is subject to search by the airport security authorities. 
• The airport security authorities will ask you to hold your pet and pass through screening equipment while they inspect the carrier. JetBlue pet policy specifies that your pet will never be placed through an X-ray machine. 
• If you cannot hold your pet through screening, it will have to undergo secondary screening. The secondary screening includes a visual and physical inspection by airport security officers. 

On board and in-flight 

According to the JetBlue pet policy, passengers traveling with their pets are not permitted to sit in an emergency exit row, bulkhead seat, Mint seat, or any seat restricted for under-seat storage. 

Instead, JetBlue recommends sitting in an aisle or a window seat if you travel with your pet. Additionally, once you board your flight, your pet must stay inside its carriage for the whole flight. 

You must place your pet carrier below the seat in front of you during take-off and landing. You can hold your pet carrier on your lap during the flight. If you decide to purchase an extra seat for your pet, you can place the carrier on the extra seat during the flight.

Pets Traveling Internationally 

It is important to mention that JetBlue does not accept pets on flights to Trinidad and Tobago and to and from London. The United States’ entry requirements differ based on the country of origin. If your pet does not meet the requirements, it can result in denied entry. 

For pet travel to other international destinations, documentation requirements vary by country. You, as the customer, are responsible for understanding each country’s animal import requirements and acquiring all the needed documentation before traveling with your pet. 

Barbados, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and St. Lucia 

If you plan to travel with your pet to Barbados, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, or St. Lucia, JetBlue urges you to start the import process at least 30 days before travel to prepare your cat or dog to travel.

Countries with a high risk of rabies

In accordance with the CDC guidelines on dog importation from specific countries, and by taking into account JetBlue’s network limitations, the airline does not accept dogs or cats on flights to or from:

• Colombia (MDE)
• Ecuador (UIO)
• Peru (LIM)

Since December 20, 2021, all passengers traveling with dogs or cats from the following BlueCities must enter the United States through JFK only. JFK is a CDC-classified Point of Entry for vaccinated pets. 

• Colombia (BOG, CTG)
• Cuba (HAV)
• Dominican Republic (SDQ, STI, PUJ, POP)

• Ecuador (GYE)
• Guatemala (GUA)
• Guyana (GEO)
• Haiti (PAP)
• Honduras (SAP)

However, passengers can travel to the above destinations from any JetBlue city with their pets. 

Suppose you and your dog are entering the United States from any of the cities mentioned above. In that case, you must provide the following documentation for your pet to be cleared for travel to the US.:

• Your dog must have a valid US-issued rabies vaccine certificate or CDC Dog Import permit. 
• Your dog must have proof of microchip. 
• Your dog must be at least six months old.
• Your dog must be healthy upon arrival. 

Puppies Entering the United States

If you are traveling with your puppy, it must be at least 16 weeks old to enter the United States. Your puppy must receive the rabies vaccine at least one month before travel. You must show the rabies certificate upon arrival. The certificate must be valid for the duration of your stay and include the following:

• Your name and address as the owner of the puppy.
• The puppy’s breed, sex, date of birth, color, and markings. 
• The microchip number. 
• Date of the rabies vaccination, vaccine product information, and the date the vaccination expires. 
• The name, license number, address, and signature of the veterinarian who administered the vaccination to your puppy. 

Traveling With Service Animals

JetBlue Airways welcomes service animals on all flights. Service animals are defined as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. We will go over all the requirements and the things you need to know to have safe and comfortable travel for you and your service animal.

Service animal JetBlue guidelines 

It is a federal crime to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements, entries, or representations willfully and knowingly on the US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form to get disability accommodations. This is provided under the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (18 USC § 1001).

Requirements

• JetBlue only accepts trained service dogs. 
• According to JetBlue, all service animals must be under the handler’s control at all times in the airport and during the flight. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered. 
• The airport will assess the behavior of all service animals before boarding to ensure safety requirements are met. 
• JetBlue recommends that you request service animal travel as soon as you book your reservation. 
• If you make your reservation within 48 hours of departure, you should start your service animal request immediately, as the process must be completed at least 48 hours before your flight. 
• When traveling to London Heathrow or London Gatwick, you must have Animal Reception Center approval. 
• JetBlue does not accept service animals in training for travel.
• When traveling with a large service animal or two service animals, they must fit within the footprint of the seat(s) you have purchased. If the animal(s) do not fit in the space, you can purchase an additional seat or wait for a flight with sufficient empty seats available. 
• All service animals must remain on the floor unless it is small enough to fit fully on your lap without touching any part of the seat, tray table, or other passengers.
• You can ask a JetBlue crewmember for assistance to and from the animal relief area. 

Requesting service animal process 

Requesting service animal travel with JetBlue is a two-step process you must complete at least 48 hours before your flight. However, if your trip includes a flight on a partner airline, you will need to contact them separately as they may have a different process. 

The first step

You must complete a DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form online to receive your service Animal Transport Solutions Service Animal ID. You can proceed to the second step if you have your Animal Transport Solutions Service Animal ID. 

When filling out the request for an Animal Transport Solutions Service Animal ID, you will need to provide the following information:

• The name and contact number of your animal’s veterinarian.
• The date and expiration of the rabies vaccination. 
• The service animal’s trainer’s name or organization and number.

Once the form is approved, the Service Animal ID is valid through the expiration date of your service animal’s rabies vaccine. You will not need to complete this step again until you have to update your service animal’s vaccination record. When it’s time to renew the rabies vaccination, you will get an email reminder from Service Animal Transport Solutions. 

The second step

When you receive an approved Service Animal ID and have booked your flight on JetBlue, you can request travel with your service animal. You must complete the second step every time you make a reservation to fly on JetBlue with your service animal. 

Once your request is approved, it will be valid for all flights on that reservation. JetBlue recommends that you have a hard copy or an electronic version of your US DOT Service Animal Transportation Form and Service Animal Transport Solutions approval when traveling.

Service animals in Mint

Per the JetBlue service animal policy, your service animal can accompany you in any seat except the emergency exit row. This is allowed as long as the animal does not obstruct an aisle or other area that must be unobstructed to facilitate an emergency evacuation.

• In JetBlue’s Mint seating, you forfeit the lie-flat feature to accommodate your service animal on the floor.
• If your service animal is small enough to fit entirely on your lap without touching any part of the seat, you can use the lie-flat feature.

Final Word 

Hopefully, you find this detailed guide on the JetBlue pet policy helpful, and now you understand what to expect if you plan to travel with your pet on a JetBlue flight. However, do remember that with JetBlue, you cannot ship your pet as cargo, and the airline only accepts dogs and cats.